Federal authorities have arrested two men for orchestrating a multi-state romance and investment scam where they posed as a San Francisco 49ers player to defraud at least 26 women out of over $1.3 million.
On August 24, 2026, the FBI arrested Daejon Labrayae Love, 35, and his alleged accomplice, Taylor Jamie Chan, 18, at the Boise Airport in Idaho while they were reportedly on their way to meet new targets. Both men have been charged with wire fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud in an Oregon federal court.
How the Scheme Worked
According to court documents released by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon, the elaborate operation relied on a mix of romance fraud, fake credentials, and manipulation:
- The Fake Persona: Starting in February 2022, Love used dating apps like Tinder, Bumble, Hinge, and Facebook Dating to target middle-class women in their 20s and 30s. He claimed to be an undrafted wide receiver for the San Francisco 49ers, as well as a wealthy international real estate developer.
- Social Media & AI Manipulation: Love maintained an Instagram profile featuring photos of himself in official 49ers gear and performing football drills. He also used phone applications to display fake bank balances and manipulated online searches to trick targets into believing his NFL status was legitimate.
- The "Financial Advisor" Accomplice: Once Love established a romantic relationship and gained a victim's trust, he introduced Chan, who pretended to be his professional financial manager. Together, they held three-way calls showing fabricated investment returns.
- The Financial Drain: Victims were enticed into sending money for non-existent, high-yield investments or pressured into taking out massive personal loans for Love. If a victim ran out of funds or asked too many questions, Love broke off contact and blocked them.
Investigation Status
The scheme spanned across four states—Oregon, California, Washington, and Idaho. Investigators found that neither man has ever had any affiliation with the NFL or the 49ers, and Love had no legitimate source of income.
Because the operation went on for four years, federal authorities believe there are many more unidentified victims out there. The FBI is actively urging anyone with information or anyone who believes they were targeted by Love (who also used aliases like Jon Love, Jordan Love, or Avril Lyto Love) to come forward and contact them at 1-800-CALL-FBI.